NFL 100: A Spotlight
The game of football has had its share of menacing players. So menacing that just by looking at them, they had a certain look to them that made them scary. Deacon Jones comes to mind in this respect. On Sunday's he was a force to be reckoned with. He put fear into opposing quarterbacks like no other. He coined the term "sack" that would be later featured as a statistic. His head slaps to opposing offensive linemen was lethal in gaining an advantage.
David "Deacon" Jones was born on December 9th, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida. He lived in a four-bedroom house with a family of ten. He would attend high school at Hungerford High School where he excelled at football, baseball and basketball.
He lived in the Deep South where he witnessed acts of prejudice and racism. He was 14 years old when he witnessed white teenagers hit an elderly black woman with a watermelon. The woman would die days later. Deacon was determined to not let society dictate what he would become. He found his outlet in football to unleash his anger as a motivation.
He would attend in two full seasons in college. First, was at South Carolina State University in 1958. His scholarship was revoked after the school learned that he participated in a Civil Rights Movement protest. In 1959, he was out of school and football. One of the coaches at South Carolina State moved to Mississippi Vocational College told Deacon and a few African-American players that they could get scholarships there. He would play a final season at MVC in 1960.
Jones was overlooked by NFL scouts as there was little coverage where he played in college. He was discovered by the Rams when Jones outran some of the running back prospects that they had been scouting. Deacon Jones was drafted by the Rams in the 14th round in the 1961 NFL Draft.
His role on the team was to complement the already talented defensive line in Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy, and Rosey Griner. Together they formed "The Fearsome Foursome." The group is widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history.
He devastated quarterbacks with his elusiveness and speed. He stood at 6 feet, 5 inches with a 265 pound frame. He would revolutionize the position. He would coin the term "sacking the quarterback." While the sack didn't become a stat until 1982, his unofficial sack total throughout his career totaled to 173.5. While Bruce Smith was the holder in career sacks with 200.
He never won a championship in his career with the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers or Washington Redskins but his impact in defining the defensive end will never be outmatched. His head slaps would devastate offenses as it was a move that Jones learned from Muhammad Ali. If you slapped a linemen on the head, they would blink, and a second was all that Jones needed in getting an edge. Sadly the NFL outlawed head slaps years later. He is without a doubt my favorite defensive players to watch.
Conference Championship Recap
Tennessee Titans 24, Kansas City Chiefs 35: TW: Chiefs
It took them 50 years to get back to the Super Bowl but it was worth it. Ryan Tannehill was a bit more productive in the passing game as he threw for 209 yards with two touchdown passes. Derrick Henry was slowed down in the game as the runner would get 69 yards with a touchdown. Patrick Mahomes was shear magic in the game. Mahomes threw for 294 yards for three touchdowns. Mahomes would get 53 yards on eight carries. His 27-yard run for a touchdown was something to watch as he broke tackles from 5-6 Titans. Damien Williams ran the ball for 45 yards with a touchdown as well. Kansas City will play San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV on February 2nd.
All-time series: Chiefs lead 30-24
Green Bay Packers 20, San Francisco 49ers 37: TW: 49ers
It was to be expected, perhaps I wanted it to be more competitive. Aaron Rodgers threw the ball for 326 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He would also lose a fumble on a botched snap. Aaron Jones ran the ball alright getting 51 yards with a touchdown. Jimmy Garoppolo would only throw six of eight passes for 77 yards in the game. It would be the 49ers run game that would shine the best. Raheem Mostert ran the ball for 220 yards for four touchdowns. The 2nd closest 49er was Deebo Samuel who ran for 43 yards. The 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV on February 2nd.
All-time series: Packers lead 36-32-1
I won't be posting my Super Bowl pick this week but more than likely I will do it next week, possibly next Monday. See you all until then.
-Tom
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